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UK car registrations up 12.1 per cent in October

Figures show that more than 150,000 new cars were registered last month

New car registrations rose 12.1 per cent to 151,252 units in October, according to the latest figures issued by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). The positive news comes as car sales in Europe continue to fall.

The UK new car market has increased every month bar February this year, with new car sales volumes up 5.0 per cent to 1,771,861 units in the first 10 months of 2012.

The trend for downsizing continues. Year-to-date demand for city cars like the VW Up! and Hyundai i10 has increased 52 per cent, while the supermini segment is up 5.8 per cent.

The Ford Fiesta is once again the UK’s best selling car, both for the month of October and the year so far - and that’s before the facelifted model arrives in the UK later this year. The city car and supermini segments combined now account for nearly 40 per cent of the UK new car market.

While sales of petrol and diesel-powered cars are both up, the SMMT is keen to highlight that sales of electric and hybrid vehicles are also growing, reflecting the extra choice that buyers of alternatively-fuelled cars now have.

SMMT Chief Executive, Paul Everitt, said: “It is encouraging to see the alternatively-fuelled vehicle market performing strongly, up 13 per cent so far this year.

“Although the alternatively-fuelled vehicle sector represents only a small share of the overall market, it is vital that government sustains its consumer incentive programme and maximises the benefits available through the vehicle taxation system.”